Dumping car

ABSTRACT

A car intended to be used on a railroad for the carrying of materials and including a frame on which a pair of outwardly swinging box-like hoppers are pivotally mounted longitudinally thereof for outward movement relative to each other to dump the contents of the hoppers on opposite sides of the track, the hoppers being controlled and operated either independently or simultaneously at the selection of the individual operating the same by a control of the hydraulic mechanism effecting the dumping action.

United States Patent 1 Nicoletti [4 1 Oct. 15,1974

1 1 DUMPING CAR [76] Inventor: Tullio J. Nicoletti, 2224 West Central Park, Davenport, Iowa 22 Filed: Jan. 9, 1974 21 Appl.No.:431,866

[52] US. Cl 105/263, 105/273, 298/18 [51] Int. Cl B6ld 9/02 [58] Field of Search 105/263, 270, 271, 273;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1913 Minetty 105/263 10/1924 Richards 105/263 8/1929 Minetty 105/263 3,271,078 9/1966 Kllnganan ct a1 105/263 X Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant Examiner-John J. Love [5 7 ABSTRACT A car intended to be used on a railroad for the carrying of materials and including a frame on which a pair of outwardly swinging box-like hoppers are pivotally mounted longitudinally thereof for outward movement relative to each other to dump the contents of the hoppers on opposite sides of the track, the hoppers being controlled and operated either independently or simultaneously at the selection of the individual operating the same by a control of the hydraulic mechanism effecting the dumping action,

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures DUMPING CAR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to railroad cars and more particularly to a novel railroad dump car on which is mounted twin carrying hoppers adapted to be rotated outwardly to discharge theircontents on opposite sides of the railroad track with such dumping taking place either independently or simultaneously.

2. Description of the Prior Art In constant use in railroads today are railroad cars adapted to be used in a carrying capacity for the bulk carrying of materials such as gravel, coal, stone, sand, cement and the like for the transportation of such materials between a point of loading into the hopper car and a point of unloading therefrom at the point of destination thereof. However, presently available dumping cars suffer from one or more difficulties normally associated with such dumping cars making them disadvantageous either to the railroad or to the user, the foremost disadvantage being that the hopper cars are expensive to construct and being of a rather complicated nature utilizing many components such that they frequently malfunction requiring constant repair and maintenance and thus expensive time during which such cars are not available for use.

A further disadvantage of present hopper cars is that they may only carry a single commodity at a time so that should only a partial quantity be desired by an individual which is not sufficient to fill a complete hopper car the individual must still incur the expense of renting the complete hopper car for the transportation of such commodity. This is not only overly expensive to the individual, but is also a waste of railroad facilities in having to transport partially loaded hopper cars.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention recognizes the deficiencies and disadvantages of presently available dumping cars as used on railroads and provides a novel solution thereto in the form ofa dump car having a platform in which is mounted twin longitudinally extending hoppers disposed in side-by-side relationship with each adapted to be rotated in an outward direction about its axis to discharge the contents thereof on opposite sides of the track, the hoppers operable either independently of each other or simultaneously with each other in a manner to discharge their contents completely and at a safe distance to the side of the track such that the hoppers may be filled with different commodities which, in turn, may be discharged at different points of destination such that maximum use of railroad facilities is provided by the use of such dumping cars.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a railroad dumping car which is possessed of few parts and thus devoid of complicated parts liable to get out of order such that the car requires minimum maintenance and a high degree of reliability.

A further feature of the present invention provides a railroad dumping car which is easy to use and reliable and efficient in operation.

Still a further feature of the present invention provides a railroad dumping car having a pair of hoppers which can be loaded with the same or different contents in a manner such that the contents will be entirely separate from each other and wherein an improved mechanism is provided for the dumping of the two contents on opposite sides of the track in a rapid and effective manner requiring a minimum expenditure of time and effort on the part of operating personnel.

Yet still a further feature of the present invention provides a railroad dumping car having a pair of hoppers thereon which are mounted in such a manner that they are each nearly balanced in their bearings thus requiring the application of only a moderate tilting force to rotate each of the hoppers in a swinging outward movement about their axis to effect the discharging of the contents therefrom.

Yet still a further feature of the presentinvention is the provision of a railroad dumping car which is uncomplicated, inexpensive, efficient, durable, and constructed of the least material while possessing the greatest strength so as to provide many years of trouble free service.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a railroad dumping car constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the operating mechanism for controlling the dumping of the hoppers of the car;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating the hoppers in their respective tilted positions for dumping;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the horizontal arm;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. I; and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic operating mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail there is illustrated a preferred form of a railroad dumping car constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally in its entirety by the reference numeral 10 and which is comprised of a substantially flat horizontal platform 11 supported on railroad trucks 12 of conventional construction adapted to roll along railroad tracks 13, the platform having a top surface 14 on which there is mounted twin rectangularly shaped box-like open topped hoppers 15 adapted to be rotated outwardly relative to each other to discharge their contents on opposite sides of the tracks 13.

Each hopper 15 includes a bottom surface 21, opposed side surfaces 22 and 23, and opposed end surfaces 24 and 25, such surfaces defining therebetween an open topped compartment 26 which are adapted to be loaded with the same or different contents in a manner to transport such contents entirely separate from each other.

The hoppers 15 are disposed in side-by-side adjacent relationship with there being provided at both ends of each of the hoppers an A-shaped bracket 31 having its base mounted on the top surface 14 of platform 11 and extending upwardly therefrom terminating at the apex portion which carries bearings 32 adapted to receive therein trunnions 33 projecting axially outwardly from each of the ends 24 and 25 of the hoppers 15. The positions of the trunnions 33 on each of the hoppers is preferably disposed at the center of gravity thereof in order that the forces required to effect the tilting of the hoppers to dump the same may be minimized.

Positioned at one end of platform 11 intermediate ends 24 of the hoppers 15 is an upright guiding post 41 having a pair of horizontally spaced apart vertically extending slots 42 and 43 disposed therein. A pair of horizontal arms 44 are provided each being of an elongated rectangular configuration having an aperture 45 at one end thereof and having an elongated longitudinally extending slot 46 disposed in the opposite end thereof, one of the arms 44 being associated with slot 42 and having a pin 47 extending through aperture 45 into slot 42 for fixed guiding movement of the arm 44 in a reciprocal vertical manner while maintaining the horizontal disposition of the same. Similarly, the other arm 44 is associated with slot 43 and is likewise provided with a pin 47 connected to the aperture 45 for guiding the associated arm 44 in reciprocal vertical movement along the slot while maintaining the horizontal disposition of the arm. A pair of angle arms 48 are provided each having one end affixed to an associated trunnion 33 of one of the hoppers 15 with each of the arms extending out wardly from its associated trunion in a direction towards the guide post 41 so as to have its opposite end portions pivotally connected to associated arms 44 by means of pivot pins 49 extending from the angle arms to be slidingly received in associated slot 46.

Disposed inwardly of guide post 41 are a pair of hydraulically operated piston and cylinder combinations 50 and 60, the combinations 50 having a piston rod 51 and a cylinder 52 with the combination 60 having a piston rod 61 and a cylinder 62. The free ends of piston rods and 61 are each associated with slots 42 and 43 respectively to engage the pin 47 associated with the respective slot. A suitable hydraulic reservoir 70 is provided and is connected by suitable tubings 53 and 63 to separate hydraulic pumps 54 and 64 respectively which in turn are connected by tubes 55 and 65 to cylinders 52 and 62 respectively, the outlets of the cylinders being connected by tubes 56 and 66 back to the reservoir 70. The pumps 54 and 64 may be of the air operated type, electric operated type, or the like with pump 54 provided with a separate operating control 57 and pump 64 provided with a separate operating control 67 each of which is adapted to separately energize its associated pump when desired by operating person nel. In addition, a control switch 75 is provided so as to connect such pumps in parallel relationship for the simultaneous operation thereof at the desires of the operating personnel. Thus, the pumps 54 and 64 may be operated either individually or simultaneously in a manner to effect either the individual or simultaneous swinging movement of the hoppers about the trunnions 33 in a manner to effect the discharge of the contents from the compartments 26 to opposite sides of the tracks 13.

As seen in FIG. 2 the hoppers are shown in their normal transporting position, with FIG. 3 illustrating the tilted dumping positions of the hopper, it being seen that the arrangement of the piston rods 51 and 61, slots 42 and 43, horizontal arms 44 and angle arms 48 effect the swinging movement of the hoppers 15. For example, referring to the right-hand hopper of FIGS. 2 and 3, it is seen that as arm 44 is driven upwardly of slot 42 it effects simultaneous swinging movement of angle arm 48 which is affixed to the hopper'car trunnion 33 to effect the tilting movement of the hopper car, the continued upward movement of the arm 44 tilting the car to the dumping position with pivot pin 49 sliding in slot 46 to complete the maximum tilting position of the hopper. After the contents of the hopper have been dumped, the piston returns the arm 44 vertically through the slot 42 thus returning the hopper car to its initial position.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed l. A railroad dumping car of the type having a mounting platform supported on railroad trucks for guided movement along conventional railroad tracks, the dumping car comprising:

a pair of longitudinally extending rectangularly shaped open topped box-like hoppers each having a content receiving compartment formed therein adapted to carry the same or different contents entirely separate from each other, the hoppers disposed in side-by-side adjacent relationship with each hopper having opposed end wall surfaces;

a pair of side-by-side aligned brackets disposed on each side of said platform adjacent each associated end of said associated hopper and extending upwardly from said platform;

each mounting bracket having a bearing assembly mounted at the top portion thereof;

each hopper having a pair of axially aligned trunnions affixed to opposite end wall surfaces of the hopper and projecting outwardly therefrom and adapted to be rotatably received in an associated bearing for rotative support of said hopper thereabout;

an upright vertically extending guiding post disposed intermediate adjacent ends of said hoppers and having one end affixed to said platform with said posts projecting upwardly therefrom, a pair of horizontally spaced apart vertically extending slots formed in a side member of said post; pair of hydraulic cylinders and piston arrangements, each of said arrangements associated with one of said guiding post slots and disposed inwardly of said guiding posts, each of said piston rods having its free end disposed in alignment with the associated slot and reciprocally movable therealong between the top and bottom ends of said slot; hydraulic means connected to said cylinders to effect the operation thereof; control means associated with said hydraulic means and selectable for the independent or simultaneous operation of said hydraulic means; and

linkage means interconnecting each of said free ends of said piston rods to one of said hopper trunnions to effect the tilting rotation of said associated hopper about its axis when said piston rod moves upwardly along said slot to the top end of the slot and wherein said hopper is returned to its initial position upon said piston rod moving downwardly of said slot to its initial position adjacent the bottom of said slot.

2. The dumping car as set forth in claim 1 wherein said linkage means comprises a pair of horizontal arm members, each arm member having one end associated with one of the slots with the opposite end projecting normal to the plane of the slot, the horizontal arms projecting in opposite directions from said slots, each opposite end of each of said horizontal arms having an elongated longitudinally extending slot formed therein and extending therethrough, a pair .of angle arm, each angle arm associated with one of said hopper cars, each 3. The dumping car as set forth in claim 2 wherein said trunnions are disposed approximately along the axis of the center of gravity of each hopper.

4. The dumping car as set forth in claim 3 wherein said mounting brackets are of an A-shaped configuration having the base portion thereof mounted to the top surface of said platform and having said bearing assembly mounted at the apex portion thereof. 

1. A railroad dumping car of the type having a mounting platform supported on railroad trucks for guided movement along conventional railroad tracks, the dumping car comprising: a pair of longitudinally extending rectangularly shaped open topped box-like hoppers each having a content receiving compartment formed therein adapted to carry the same or different contents entirely separate from each other, the hoppers disposed in side-by-side adjacent relationship with each hopper having opposed end wall surfaces; a pair of side-by-side aligned brackets disposed on each side of said platform adjacent each associated end of said associated hopper and extending upwardly from said platform; each mounting bracket having a bearing assembly mounted at the top portion thereof; each hopper having a pair of axially aligned trunnions affixed to opposite end wall surfaces of the hopper and projecting outwardly therefrom and adapted to be rotatably received in an associated bearing for rotative support of said hopper thereabout; an upright vertically extending guiding post disposed intermediate adjacent ends of said hoppers and having one end affixed to said platform with said posts projecting upwardly therefrom, a pair of horizontally spaced apart vertically extending slots formed in a side member of said post; a pair of hydraulic cylinders and piston arrangements, each of said arrangements associated with one of said guiding post slots and disposed inwardly of said guiding posts, each of said piston rods having its free end disposed in alignment with the associated slot and reciprocally movable therealong between the top and bottom ends of said slot; hydraulic means connected to said cylinders to effect the operation thereof; control means associated with said hydraulic means and selectable for the independent or simultaneous operation of said hydraulic means; and linkage means interconnecting each of said free ends of said piston rods to one of said hopper trunnions to effect the tilting rotation of said associated hopper about its axis when said piston rod moves upwardly along said slot to the top end of the slot and wherein said hopper is returned to its initial position upon said piston rod moving downwardly of said slot to its initial position adjacent the bottom of said slot.
 2. The dumping car as set forth in claim 1 wherein said linkage means comprises a pair of horizontal arm members, each arm member having one end associated with one of the slots with the opposite end projecting normal to the plane of the slot, the horizontal arms projecting in opposite directions from said slots, each opposite end of each of said horizontal arms having an elongated longitudinally extending slot formed therein and extending therethrough, a pair of angle arm, each angle arm associated with one of said hopper cars, each angle arm having one end affixed to an adjacent trunnion of the associated hopper car with the opposite end extending outwardly therefrom in a direction toward said guide post to be pivotally joined by a pivot pin to said slot of an associated horizontal arm member for horizontal movement therethrough upon vertical reciprocal movement of said arm member along said associated slot to effect the dumping action of said hopper.
 3. The dumping car as set forth in claim 2 wherein said trunnions are disposed approximately along the axis of the center of gravity of each hopper.
 4. The dumping car as set forth in claim 3 wherein said mounting brackets are of an A-shaped configuration having the base portion thereof mounted to the top surface of said platform and having said bearing assembly mounted at the apex portion thereof. 